The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

New poll gives Ken hope

Boris just two points ahead of Ken in first YouGov poll on mayoral race.

By George Eaton Published 18 October 2010 16:17

Don't write off Red Ken just yet. The first YouGov poll on the London mayoral race puts Boris ahead on first preferences by just two points (46 per cent). There are still other candidates to come, not least from the Greens and the Lib Dems, who could cut into Ken's vote ("Liberal Democrat candidate" is on 4 per cent and "some other candidate" is on 7 per cent), but this poll will reassure Labour officials rattled by an earlier ComRes survey that put Boris nine points ahead.

The significant support for Ken suggests that his age (he will turn 67 in June 2012) and his political baggage aren't necessarily barriers to his re-election. The poll also found that 56 per cent of voters approve of his time in office and that Ken is seen as more competent (52 per cent to 45 per cent) and in touch (44 per cent to 40 per cent) than Boris.

There is still plenty of ground to make up: in a straight contest between the pair, Boris would beat Ken by 46 per cent to 41 per cent, and 58 per cent of voters approve of his record. But this poll provides the Livingstone campaign with plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

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Tags: Ken Livingstone Boris Johnson

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21 comments

Tue, 2010-10-19 13:23 — jie4v7i14

Boris is a safe pair of idiots, left and right handed, confused.

Mon, 2010-10-18 16:30 — writeoff (not verified)

Wait until the next fare rises kick in. Come on Ken!

Mon, 2010-10-18 17:02 — swatantra

Johnsons mistake was to pander to the leafy suburbs and ditch extn of the Congestion Charge. More leading cities are taken up the challenge of reducing cars in their capitals. The Oyster Card great idea to do away with tickets. Travelling in London these days is a necessity not a luxury. Ken needs to be specifcon meeting Londins housing needs and on reducing crime and grime and vagrancy, particularly in Oxford Street. A word of advice to the ES: stay out of it.

Mon, 2010-10-18 17:02 — Dave C (not verified)

Boris Johnson appears to have helped secure Crossrail, but as it is years away, I don't suppose there'll be an electoral dividend.

Mon, 2010-10-18 17:07 — ang (not verified)

People will lose their appetite for a 'joker' once public services and housing are affected. Bye bye Boris

Mon, 2010-10-18 17:08 — Yeti (not verified)

I find it amazing that a Tory is actually polling ahead of a Labour candidate in London.

Shows you how good a job Boris has done over the past few years.

Mon, 2010-10-18 18:41 — Alison (not verified)

Boris has done a great job. The polls look string for him still. The fact that he is polling ahead in liberal London demonstrates he is a liberal. As opposed to Ken who is a communist berk with a piss poor track record and an assumption he has a divine right to rule.

Mon, 2010-10-18 23:37 — Hans Castorp (not verified)

I wonder if Ken will be running for Labour at all after his sojourn today in support of an independent (and distinctly dodgy) candidate for Tower Hamlets who would be better off with the wailing oddballs at Respect HQ (Ken too).

Mon, 2010-10-18 23:57 — thinkov

A very likeable buffoon is that Boris

I'd still push him in the THames given half the chance mind

Tue, 2010-10-19 00:02 — Theodore Weir (not verified)

I really hope that Ken Livingstone is elected mayor again. He has made London a world leading city. He is transformed our transport dramatically and he is a true londoner who understands our needs....

Tue, 2010-10-19 00:28 — jie4v7i14

It has got to be said, Boris does exhibit the fine features of a nincompoop - that is his secret, quite endearing in a wot-wot-wot way.

Other people have other words to describe him though, I believe.

Thu, 2010-10-21 07:53 — Luddite (not verified)

Ken occupies a strange political world. Where on the one hand, he defends gay rights, because he knows there votes in-it, then on the other invites medieval f@@k-wits, that would just love to throw homosexuals from high building. Mr Livingstone is a very divisive political animal. In all honesty, all Ken cares about is Ken..

Thu, 2010-10-21 07:56 — Greg Dyke (not verified)

Ken cares about is Ken..and his newts be fair.

Thu, 2010-10-21 09:23 — Barny

Hurrah for Ken!!

Tue, 2010-10-19 03:47 — Hans Castorp (not verified)

Oh, wake up!

Boris may not be anyone's cup of tea - he's too much a corpratist Bloomberg-style mayor for me - but he at least doesn't have a disturbing sideline in supporting fascist embezzelers in breach of his party's rules:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8068839/PICS-AND-PU...

Also see recent Dispatches doc.

I'm astonished that Labour couldn't get someone better - and little more shy of people who associate with those who see little wrong in suicide-murder - than Ken. Looks like they'll get a second chance.

Tue, 2010-10-19 06:29 — Greg Dyke (not verified)

I really hope that Ken Livingstone is elected Mayor again, we should all have the right to beat our partners with a stick no thicker than our little finger or penis!

Tue, 2010-10-19 08:10 — Luddite (not verified)

Yesterdays man espousing yesterdays politics. Go on, vote for him you bloody fools.